Retractable telescopic mechanism for steering column with feedback actuator

ABSTRACT

A steering apparatus for a vehicle that utilizes steer-by-wire controls and may selectively be operated in an autonomous mode comprises a retractable telescopic steering column adapted to extend by as much as three hundred millimeters (300 mm) from its fully retracted position. The steering column is also in force communication with a feedback motor, which provides feedback to the driver of the vehicle via a steering wheel attached to the steering column to emulate the forces that would be transmitted to the steering wheel if the steering wheel were mechanically linked to the steerable wheels of the vehicle.

FIELD

The present disclosure is generally directed to vehicle systems, and more particularly to vehicle steering systems.

BACKGROUND

Steerable vehicles, including cars, trucks, and buses, often include a steering wheel positioned in front of a driver's seat. Such steering wheels are traditionally mounted on a steering column, which is mechanically connected to the vehicle's road wheels. When the steering wheel is turned, the steering column also turns, and through the mechanical linkage causes the road wheels to rotate. Steering wheels and the columns that support them are often fixed, although in some instances the steering wheel can be tilted up or down to accommodate drivers of different heights. In some vehicles, the steering column may have an adjustable length, so that the steering wheel can be lengthened or shortened, again to accommodate persons of different physiological makeup. Notably, the total travel length of known adjustable steering columns is approximately eighty millimeters or less. Many vehicles, including both those that do and those that do not have adjustable steering wheels, utilize an adjustable driver's seat to compensate for the relatively small range of adjustability in the position of the steering wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,623, entitled “Motor Vehicle with Retractable Steering Wheel” and filed on Jul. 25, 2012, describes a vehicle with a steering wheel arranged on a steering column and configured to move from an extended position, where the steering wheel is available for use in steering the vehicle, to a retracted position, in which the steering wheel is stowed during autonomous driving. U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2013/0110353, entitled “Controller for Steering Apparatus” and filed on Oct. 16, 2012, describes a controller for a powered steering wheel tilting mechanism. The controller detects the tilting angle of the steering apparatus based on a rotational angle of a screw shaft that is driven by an electric motor, and adjusts the current provided to the motor based on the tilting angle. Both of these references are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a passenger cabin of a vehicle such as the vehicle shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows a telescoping steering column according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in a retracted position;

FIG. 3B shows the telescoping steering column of FIG. 3A, in an extended position;

FIG. 4A shows a telescoping steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a retracted position;

FIG. 4B shows the telescoping steering column of FIG. 4A, in an extended position;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-section of a telescoping steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-section of a telescoping steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-section of a telescoping steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a telescoping steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A depicts a body mounted sliding steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure in a first position;

FIG. 9B depicts the body mounted sliding steering column of FIG. 9A in a second position;

FIG. 10A depicts a body mounted sliding steering column according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10B depicts a cross-section of the body mounted sliding steering column of FIG. 10A along the line A-A;

FIG. 10C depicts a cross-section of the body mounted sliding steering column of FIG. 10C along the line B-B; and

FIG. 11 depicts a body mounted sliding steering column according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in connection with a vehicle, and more particularly with respect to an automobile. However, for the avoidance of doubt, the present disclosure encompasses the use of the aspects described herein in vehicles other than automobiles.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vehicle 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle 100 comprises a vehicle front 110, vehicle aft 120, vehicle roof 130, at least one vehicle side 160, a vehicle undercarriage 140, and a vehicle interior 150. The vehicle 100 may include a frame 104, one or more body panels 108 mounted or affixed thereto, and a windshield 118. The vehicle 100 may include one or more interior components (e.g., components inside an interior space 150, or user space, of a vehicle 100, etc.), exterior components (e.g., components outside of the interior space 150, or user space, of a vehicle 100, etc.), drive systems, controls systems, structural components, etc.

Coordinate system 102 is provided for added clarity in referencing relative locations in the vehicle 100. In this detailed description, an object is forward of another object or component if the object is located in the −X direction relative to the other object or component. Conversely, an object is rearward of another object or component if the object is located in the +X direction relative to the other object or component.

The vehicle 100 may be, by way of example only, an electric vehicle or a gas-powered vehicle. Where the vehicle 100 is an electric vehicle, the vehicle 100 may comprise one or more electric motors powered by electricity from an on-board battery pack. The electric motors may, for example, be mounted near or adjacent an axis or axle of each wheel 112 of the vehicle, and the battery pack may be mounted on the vehicle undercarriage 140. In such embodiments, the front compartment of the vehicle, referring to the space located under the vehicle hood 116, may be a storage or trunk space. Where the vehicle 100 is a gas-powered vehicle, the vehicle 100 may comprise a gas-powered engine and associated components in the front compartment (under the vehicle hood 116), which engine may be configured to drive either or both of the front road wheels 112 and the rear road wheels 112. In some embodiments where the vehicle 100 is gas-powered, the gas-powered engine and associated components may be located in a rear compartment of the vehicle 100, leaving the front compartment available for storage or trunk space or for other uses. In some embodiments, the vehicle 100 may be, in addition to a battery-powered electric vehicle and a gas-powered vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a diesel-powered vehicle, or a fuel cell vehicle.

Although shown in the form of a car, it should be appreciated that the vehicle 100 described herein may include any conveyance or model of a conveyance, where the conveyance was designed for the purpose of moving one or more tangible objects, such as people, animals, cargo, and the like. Typical vehicles may include but are in no way limited to cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, automobiles, trains, railed conveyances, boats, ships, marine conveyances, submarine conveyances, airplanes, space craft, flying machines, human-powered conveyances, and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a vehicle passenger cabin 200 of the vehicle 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more passenger seats 204, a steering column 208 operably connected to and supporting a steering wheel 212, and an instrument panel 216. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the steering wheel 212 and the steering column 208 are part of a steer-by-wire system, which may use a system of sensors and motors, rather than an actual mechanical linkage, to move the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100 based on inputs from the steering wheel 212. More specifically, one or more sensors connected to the steering wheel 212 and/or the steering column 212 detect parameters such as the degree of rotation of the steering wheel 212 and/or the steering column 208, the rate of rotation of the steering wheel 212 and/or the steering column 208, and/or the rotational acceleration or deceleration of the steering wheel 212 and/or the steering column 208, and transmit this information to a controller (not shown) which may include, for example, a processor. Based on the received information, the controller sends signals to one or more electric motors in mechanical, force-transmitting communication with the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100, which signals cause the electric motors to operate and cause the road wheels 112 to move in a way that corresponds with the sensed movement of the steering wheel 212. Thus, for example, if a driver of the vehicle 100 turns the steering wheel 212 slowly, the controller will command the electric motor(s) in force-transmitting communication with the road wheels 112 to turn slowly, in the same direction as the steering wheel 212. If the driver of the vehicle 100 jerks the steering wheel to one side (e.g., to avoid an obstacle), the controller will command the electric motor(s) in force-transmitting communication with the road wheels 112 to turn rapidly, with a movement that corresponds to the movement of the steering wheel.

The vehicle 100 may be capable of autonomous operation, wherein one or more processors receive information from various sensors around the vehicle and use that information to control the speed and direction of the vehicle 100 so as to avoid hitting obstacles and to navigate safely from an origin to a destination. In such embodiments, the steering wheel 212 is unnecessary, as the one or more processors, rather than a vehicle occupant, control the steering of the vehicle 100. Embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly suited for optionally autonomous vehicles, where a vehicle occupant may selectively drive the vehicle 100 or activate autonomous navigation of the vehicle 100. In such embodiments, the steering wheel 212 is necessary only when the vehicle occupant is driving the vehicle 100. During autonomous operation, it would be preferable to remove the steering wheel 212 from its position in the passenger cabin 200, to give the vehicle occupant sitting in the driver's seat more room.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, a retractable telescopic steering column 300 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown here in a cross-sectional view, comprises a column housing 304, telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c, and a steering wheel 312. For descriptive purposes, the ends of the telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c that are closest to the steering wheel 312 are referred to herein as the proximate ends, and the ends of the telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c that are farthest from the steering wheel 312 are referred to herein as the distal ends. The column housing 304 may be mounted to a fixed support (not shown). The sensors necessary for steer-by-wire functionality may be attached to any part of the steering column 308. The telescoping column section 308 a is rotatably connected to the column housing 304. The telescoping column sections 308 b and 308 c, meanwhile, are slidably, but not rotatably, engaged with or mounted on the telescoping column sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively, allowing the steering wheel to extend and retract along central axis 316 of the retractable telescopic steering column 300.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, the retractable telescopic steering column 300 is shown in an extended position. Here, the distal end of the telescoping column section 308 b overlaps the proximal end of the telescoping column section 308 a, and the distal end of the telescoping column section 308 c overlaps the proximal end of the telescoping column section 308 b. In this configuration, the steering wheel 312 is extended up to approximately 300 mm (e.g., between 270 and 330 mm) or more from its retracted position as shown in FIG. 3A. In other words, each of the telescoping column sections 308 b and 308 c are, in at least some embodiments, able to slide approximately 150 mm (e.g., between 135 mm and 165 mm) along the telescoping column sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively.

Various mechanisms may be used to prevent the telescoping column sections 308 from extending too far and disengaging from each other. For example, in some embodiments, one or more keys or splines might extend radially outward from the distal ends of the telescoping column sections 308 a and 308 b. The keys or splines might be received by a slot extending axially along a majority of the inside length of the telescoping column sections 308 b and 308 c, respectively. Then, as the telescoping column sections 308 b and 308 c slide over the telescoping column sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively, the keys or splines of sections 308 a and 308 b slide along the slots of the sections 308 b and 308 c, respectively, until the keys or splines reach the end of the slots and halt further extension of the sections 308 b and 308 c. In some embodiments, the slots are positioned in the sections 308 a and 308 b, and the keys are positioned at the distal ends of sections 308 b and 308 c, which configuration also prevents overextension of the telescopic column sections 308 b and 308 c.

As another example, the outer circumference of the proximal ends of the sections 308 a and 308 b may be larger than the outer circumference along the remainder of the sections 308 a and 308 b, and the inner circumference of the distal ends of the sections 308 b and 308 c may be smaller than the inner circumference along the remainder of the sections 308 b and 308 c. As a result, only the proximal ends of the sections 308 a and 308 b may contact the outer surface of the sections 308 b and 308 c, respectively, and only the distal ends of the sections 308 b and 308 c may contact the outer surface of the sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively, which may advantageously reduce the sliding friction between the sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c. When the sections 308 b and 308 c are extended along the sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively, the distal ends of the sections 308 b and 308 c will eventually contact the proximal ends of the sections 308 a and 308 b, respectively, thus preventing further extension.

Turning now to FIG. 4A, a retractable telescopic steering column 400 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises three telescoping column sections 408 a, 408 b, and 408 c, arranged in the same manner as the telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c of the retractable telescopic steering column 300. Additionally, the telescoping column section 408 c is fixedly connected to a steering wheel 412, so that rotational movement of the steering wheel 412 causes rotational movement of the telescoping column section 408 c. The column 400 also comprises a two-piece telescoping housing 404, comprising a stationary housing member 404 a and an extendable housing member 404 b.

Rotatably mounted within the stationary housing member 404 a is a feedback assembly 424, comprising a feedback motor 428 driving a planetary gear assembly 432. When the feedback motor 428 is activated, it exerts a rotational force on the telescoping column section 408 a, which is transmitted through the telescoping column sections 408 b and 408 c to the steering wheel 412. A controller (not shown) controls the operation of the feedback motor 428, and is configured to cause the feedback motor 428 to transmit to the user of the steering wheel 412 forces that are the same as or similar to the forces the user would feel if the steering wheel 412 were connected to the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100 via a mechanical linkage, rather than controlling the road wheels 112 via a steer-by-wire system. The controller may determine the timing, direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), and/or magnitude of forces to cause the motor 428 to exert on the telescoping column section 408 a (and thus to be transmitted to the steering wheel 412 via the telescoping column sections 408 b and 408 c) based on one or more of internal programming, information about the speed of the vehicle 100, information about the user's movement of the steering wheel 412 (which may be the same information input to the steer-by-wire system), information about the movement of the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100, whether due to the user's manipulation of the steering wheel 412 or due to external forces (e.g., forces caused by hitting a pothole or a speedbump), and/or information about the amount of force that the steer-by-wire system must cause or is causing to be applied to the road wheels 112 to turn them in a desired direction. Other factors may also be considered or utilized to generate realistic force feedback.

Although the feedback motor 428 is depicted in FIG. 4 as driving a planetary gear assembly 432, the feedback motor 428 may be in force-transmitting communication with the telescoping column sections 408 a, 408 b, and 408 c via any suitable mechanism, including via other types of gear assemblies and via a belt.

Mounted externally to the retractable telescopic steering column 400 are a tilt control motor 416 and an extension/retraction motor 420. The tilt control motor allows for electronic control of the tilt of the steering wheel 412 (and thus of the entire retractable telescopic steering column 400), such that the angle of the steering wheel 412 and the column 400 relative to a horizontal plane can be adjusted. The extension/retraction motor 420 allows the retractable telescopic steering column to be extended and retracted automatically. The extension and retraction motor 420 may operate based on input from a driver of the vehicle 100 via a button, switch, or other user interface. Additionally or alternatively, the extension and retraction motor 420 may operate under the control of a controller or processor executing instructions stored in memory. For example, instructions stored in memory may cause the controller or processor to cause the retraction motor 420 to retract the steering column 400 when the vehicle 100 is placed into, or enters, an autonomous driving mode, and/or when the vehicle 100 is parked.

FIG. 4B shows the retractable telescopic steering column 400 in a fully extended position. In this position, the distal ends of the telescoping column sections 408 b and 408 c overlap the proximal ends of the telescoping column sections 408 a and 408 b, and the extendable housing member 404 b is also extended, so that the distal end thereof overlaps with the proximal end of the stationary housing member 404 a. In some embodiments, the extendable housing member 404 b is connected to the telescoping column section 408 c, so that extension of one causes extension of the other. In such embodiments, the extendable housing member 404 b may include one or more features to prevent overextension thereof with respect to the stationary housing member 404 a, so that such features are not needed on the telescoping column sections 408 a, 408 b, and 408 c. Also in some embodiments, the telescoping column section 408 c is rotatably supported within the extendable housing member 404 b (e.g., with a bearing) so as to provided sufficient support to the telescoping column sections 408 b and 408 c in their fully extended position (e.g., to prevent the fully extended retractable telescopic steering column 400 from bending or sagging).

Although the retractable telescopic steering columns 300 and 400 are shown with three telescoping column sections each, embodiments of the present disclosure encompass the use of more or fewer telescoping column sections. The inclusion of more telescoping column sections typically results in a greater overall diameter of the retractable telescopic steering column, but allows for extension over a longer distance (possibly exceeding 300 mm) or for extension over the same distance but with shorter telescoping column sections.

FIGS. 5-7 provide a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the axis of a set of telescoping column sections according to embodiments of the present disclosure, such as the telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, and 308 c, and the telescoping column sections 408 a, 408 b, and 408 c. Such telescoping column sections may have any desired shape. In one embodiment, a set of telescoping column sections 508 a, 508 b, and 508 c may be generally circular in shape, as shown in FIG. 5, with interlocking splines 512 and slots 516 provided on the surfaces thereof to ensure that a rotational force applied to one of the telescoping column sections is transmitted to the other telescoping column sections. Non-circular shapes, such as the telescoping column sections 608 a, 608 b, and 608 c of FIG. 6 having a rectangular cross-section, and the telescoping column sections 708 a, 708 b, and 708 c of FIG. 7 having a triangular cross-section, do not need splines or slots for transmitting rotational force, although they may also include splines and slots (or other features) for preventing overextension thereof. Although FIGS. 5-7 depict telescoping column sections having circular, rectangular, and triangular cross-sections, any other desired cross-sectional shape may also be used within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a retractable telescopic steering column 800 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a rotationally fixed housing 804 in which a connecting cylinder 840 is rotatably supported via one or more bearings 844. A telescoping column section 808 a is fixedly attached to the connecting cylinder 840, and slidably engaged with or attached to the telescoping column section 808 b, which in turn is slidably engaged with or attached to the telescoping column section 808 c, which in turn is fixedly connected to a steering wheel 812. In some embodiments, the rotationally fixed housing 804 may be pivotable, so that an angle between the telescoping column 808 and a horizontal plane may be selectively adjusted (e.g., to adjust the height of the steering wheel relative to a driver of the vehicle 100). Also in some embodiments, the rotationally fixed housing 804 may be selectively vertically adjustable, so as to move the housing 804—together with the telescoping column sections 808 a, 808 b, and 808 c, and the steering wheel 812—up and down according to the preference of a user of the vehicle (when the telescoping column sections 808 a, 808 b, and 808 c are fully extended) or to better stow the steering wheel 812 (when the telescoping column sections 808 a, 808 b, and 808 c are fully retracted).

Also shown in FIG. 8 is a feedback motor 828, which is fixedly mounted in a position that is offset from the axis of the retractable telescopic steering column 800. The feedback motor 828 drives a belt pulley 832, which is in force transmitting communication with the connecting cylinder 840 via a belt 836. The housing 804 comprises an opening or aperture through which the belt 836 extends between the connecting cylinder 840 and the belt pulley 832. Similar to the operation of the feedback motor 428, the feedback motor 828 exerts (via the belt) a rotational force on the connecting cylinder 840, which is transmitted through the telescoping column sections 808 a, 808 b and 808 c to the steering wheel 812. A controller (not shown) controls the operation of the feedback motor 828, and is configured to cause the feedback motor 828 to transmit to the user of the steering wheel 812 forces that are the same as or similar to the forces the user would feel if the steering wheel 812 were connected to the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100 via a mechanical linkage, rather than controlling the road wheels 112 via a steer-by-wire system. The controller may determine the timing, direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), and/or magnitude of forces to cause the motor 828 to exert on the connecting cylinder 840 and thus on the steering wheel 812 (via the telescoping column sections 808 a, 808 b, and 808 c) based on one or more of internal programming; information about the speed of the vehicle 100; information about the user's movement of the steering wheel 812 (which may be the same information input to the steer-by-wire system); information about the movement of the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100, whether due to the user's manipulation of the steering wheel 812 or due to external forces (e.g., forces caused by hitting a pothole or a speedbump); and/or information about the amount of force that the steer-by-wire system must cause or is causing to be applied to the road wheels 112 to turn them in a desired direction. Other factors may also be considered or utilized to generate realistic force feedback.

Although the feedback motor 828 is depicted in FIG. 8 as driving the connecting cylinder via a belt 836, the feedback motor 828 may be in force-transmitting communication with the connecting cylinder 840 via any suitable mechanism, including via any suitable type of gear or gear assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in another embodiment of the present disclosure a body mounted sliding steering column 900 comprises a steering column 908, which in turn comprises telescoping column sections 908 a, 908 b, and 908 c. The steering column 908 is supported by a housing 904 that is mounted to an arm 916. The arm 916 is slidably supported on a plurality of rails 912, which are mounted to the A-frame of the vehicle 100. In other embodiments, the rails 912 may be mounted to the cross-car beam that runs across the front of the passenger cabin 200, or to the floor of the passenger cabin 200.

The housing 904 may be pivotably mounted to the arm 916, and the angle of the housing 904 relative to the arm 916 may be selectively adjusted to properly position a steering wheel of the body mounted sliding steering column 900 in front of a driver of the vehicle 100. The selective adjustment may be accomplished manually by the driver, or automatically. In embodiments allowing for automatic adjustment, the body mounted sliding steering column 900 may comprise an electric motor mechanically linked to the housing 904 and/or to the arm 916 and configured to adjust the angle of the housing 904 relative to the arm 916 when operated. Such an electric motor may be configured to operate in response to the pressing of a button or switch (or through some other manipulation of a user interface) by a driver of the vehicle 100, and/or may be configured to operate under the control of a controller or other processor based on instructions stored in a memory associated with the controller or other processor. For example, a controller or processor may be configured to store in memory the preferred tilt angle of the housing 904 for one or more drivers of the vehicle 100, and may be configured to cause the housing 904 to move to a driver's preferred tilt angle when that driver uses the vehicle 100. Also in such embodiments, the controller may cause the housing 904 to move to a predetermined tilt angle relative to the arm 916 when the body mounted sliding steering column 900 is retracted, to ensure that the body mounted sliding steering column 900 can retract properly.

By virtue of being slidably mounted on the rails 912, the arm 916 can move forward into a use position, where a steering wheel attached to the steering column 908 is within reach of an occupant of the vehicle 100 and may be used by the occupant to steer the vehicle 100. The arm 916 can also slide backward when the steering wheel is not needed, so as to free up space in the passenger cabin 200 and as an implicit indicator that the vehicle 100 is being operated autonomously.

The steering column 908 in the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B also comprises telescoping column sections 908 a, 908 b, and 908 c, which, like the other telescoping column sections described herein, are configured to slidably extend and retract. The use of telescoping column sections 908 a, 908 b, and 908 c increases the amount of available travel of the steering wheel (not shown) in the body mounted sliding steering column 900, and allows the total available travel to be divided between the rails 912 and the telescoping steering column 908. In some embodiments, the rails 912 and the telescoping steering column 908 each allow the body mounted sliding steering column 900 to move about one half of the total available travel distance (which may be, for example, approximately three hundred millimeters (e.g., between 270 mm and 330 mm), while in other embodiments, the telescoping steering column 908 accounts for two-thirds or more of the total available travel, and in still other embodiments the rails 912 account for two-thirds or more of the total available travel. Also in some embodiments, the body mounted sliding steering column 900 may comprise a steering column having a fixed length. In such embodiments, the rails 912 account for the entirety of the total available travel of the body-mounted sliding steering column.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B, the telescoping column section 908 c has a smaller diameter than the telescoping column section 908 b, which has a smaller diameter than the telescoping column section 908 a. In contrast, the telescoping column sections 308 a, 308 b, 308 c, and the telescoping column sections 408 a, 408 b, and 408 c, have increasing diameters, respectively. Either arrangement may be used in the various embodiments disclosed herein.

Although the body mounted sliding steering column 900 is shown comprising two rails 912, embodiments of the present disclosure may have one or more rails 912. Additionally, although the rails 912 are shown as having a substantially rectangular cross-section, embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize rails having any desired cross section. In particular, in some embodiments a single rail 912 may be utilized, but the single rail 912 may have a larger perimeter than the rails 912 shown in FIG. 9A, and/or may comprise a plurality of extensions or protrusions along its length to increase the strength thereof. Also in some embodiments, the rails 912 may comprise one or more features, such as flanges, splines, or slots, to prevent the arm 916 from sliding over an end and thus off of the rails 912.

Also in some embodiments, the arm 916 may be slidably mounted on a set of vertical rails that are in turn slidably mounted on the horizontal rails 912. In such embodiments, the arm 916 may be moved forward and backward on the horizontal rails 912, but may also be adjusted vertically by moving the arm 916 up or down on the set of vertical rails. In this manner, the steering wheel of the body mounted sliding steering column 900 can be carefully positioned at a desired location within the passenger cabin 200, and may also be carefully positioned out of the way of the occupants of the passenger cabin 200 when the vehicle 100 is operated autonomously. As an alternative to the use of vertical rails, the arm 916 may be hinged or jointed or otherwise comprise a plurality of sections, which may be configured to move up or down relatively to each other so as to better position the steering wheel in the passenger cabin 200 (for use by a vehicle occupant) or along the sides of or completely outside of the passenger cabin 200 (when the vehicle is operated autonomously).

In some embodiments, the body mounted sliding steering column 900 is configured to retract the steering wheel by sliding the arm 916 toward the front of the vehicle 100 along the rails 912 and by retracting the telescoping column sections 908 c, 908 b, and 908 a (to the extent section 908 a is movable) when the vehicle 100 is placed in park, and/or when the vehicle 100 is powered off. This allows existing or would-be occupants of the vehicle 100 to exit or enter, respectively, more easily, as they do not have to contort their bodies to avoid a steering wheel extending into the passenger cabin 200.

Also in some embodiments, the body mounted sliding steering column 900 may be configured to completely remove a steering wheel of the body mounted sliding steering column 900 from the passenger cabin 200. In such embodiments, the vehicle 100 may comprise a compartment forward of the passenger cabin 200 into which the body mounted sliding steering column 900 may retract when not in use. Such a compartment may or may not have one or more retractable or otherwise movable doors that can be opened when the body mounted sliding steering column 900 is retracted or extended, and that close to obscure the interior of the compartment from the view of those in the passenger cabin 200 when the steering column 900 is in an extended or retracted position.

Referring now to FIGS. 10A-10C, a body mounted sliding steering column 1000 comprises a steering wheel 1036 mounted via a telescoping steering column 1044 to an arm 1016, which is in turn slidably mounted to two rails 1012. Embodiments of the present disclosure encompass the use of one or more rails 1012 for mounting an arm 1016. A motor 1020 is provided for automatically sliding the arm 1016 forward and backward on the rails 1012. A lead screw or linear screw 1024 is provided parallel to the rails 1012. By rotating (whether directly or indirectly) a gear or nut threaded onto the lead screw 1024, or by rotating the lead screw 1024 itself, the motor 1020 causes the arm 1016 to slide along the rails 1012. The direction in which the arm 1016 is caused to slide along the rails 1012 may be reversed by, for example, reversing the polarity of the electric motor, so that it turns in the opposite direction.

Two other motors are illustrated in FIG. 10A. The motor 1028 is configured to extend and retract the telescoping steering column 1044, which is shown in FIG. 10B. The motor 1028 may utilize mechanical linkages to extend and retract the telescoping steering column 1044, or the motor 1028 may be configured to turn a hydraulic or pneumatic pump as part of a hydraulic or pneumatic extension and retraction system.

The motor 1032 is configured to adjust the tilt of the telescoping steering column 1044. The motor 1032 may be configured to adjust the tilt of the steering column 1044 relative to the arm 1016, or the motor 1032 may be configured to adjust the tilt of the steering column 1044 and/or a portion of the arm 1016 (e.g., if the arm 1016 is jointed) relative to a remaining portion of the arm 1016. The motor 1032 may utilize any suitable mechanical linkage for making the angle adjustment. Further, the motor 1032 may be controllable by a driver or other occupant of the vehicle 100 via a button, switch, or other user interface, and/or the motor 1032 may be controllable by a controller or processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory. The motor 1032 may, for example, operate in a manner that is the same as or similar to the electric motor described above with respect to the body mounted sliding steering column 900 for adjusting the angle of the telescopic steering column 908.

As shown in FIG. 10B, the telescoping steering column 1044 comprises three sections 1044 a, 1044 b, and 1044 c. Unlike the retractable telescopic steering columns 300 and 400 described above, the section 1044 c has a smaller diameter than the section 1044 b, which has a smaller diameter than the section 1044 a. Even so, the operation of the telescoping steering column 1044 is essentially the same as the operation of the telescoping steering columns 300 and 400. In particular, the telescoping sections 1044 a, 1044 b, and 1044 c are slidably engaged with or mounted relative to each other, but are rotationally fixed relative to each other. In this manner, rotation of the steering wheel 1036 results in rotation of the entire telescoping steering column 1044, which rotation can be sensed and measured by a steer-by-wire system and used to control motors that turn the road wheels 112 of the vehicle 100. Additionally, by rotationally fixing the telescoping sections 1044 a, 1044 b, and 1044 c relative to each other, the steering column 1044 can be used to transmit feedback forces to the steering wheel 1036 and on to the driver of the vehicle 100.

Due to the ability of the arm 916 to slide the entire steering column 1044 forward and backward along the rails 1012, the amount of travel that must be provided by the telescoping steering column 1044 may be reduced. As a result, the steering column 1044 may be configured to extend the steering wheel from the fully retracted position by a distance that is, for example, less than two hundred and fifty millimeters (250 mm), or less than three hundred millimeters (300 mm). As a result, each section of the telescoping steering column 1044 may be shorter than the corresponding sections of the telescoping steering columns 308 and 408.

Although shown in FIG. 10B as having three sections (1044 a, 1044 b, and 1044 c), the telescoping steering column 1044 may comprise more or less than three sections. The inclusion of more than three sections may allow for shorter (and therefore, in most cases, stronger) sections, although the range in diameter of the sections would most likely be greater than in an embodiment with only three sections. The inclusion of fewer than three sections (e.g., two sections, or a fixed column having only one section) may beneficially reduce parts and maintenance costs, and may be suited for embodiments in which the desired amount of travel is significantly smaller than, for example, three hundred millimeters (300 mm).

The steering column 1044 may be mounted to the arm 1016 by way of a connecting cylinder 1044, to which the telescoping section 1044 a is fixedly or slidably mounted. The connecting cylinder 1040 comprises a belt pulley 1048 at a free end thereof, which belt pulley 1048 receives a belt 1052 that is in mechanical communication with a feedback motor (not shown in FIGS. 10A-10C) connected to a second belt pulley 1056. The use of a belt 1052 to connect the feedback motor to the connecting cylinder 1040 allows the feedback motor to be mounted near the A-frame of the vehicle 100, which in turn frees up space in front of the driver for airbags or other equipment. Additionally or alternatively, mounting the feedback motor near the A-frame reduces the weight of the components positioned at the free end of the arm 1016, and thus reduces both the amount of weight positioned near the driver (which weight could affect the safety of the driver in a collision) and the required strength of the arm 1016 (which must be able to support the weight carried thereby).

As shown in FIG. 10C, a tensioner or idler pulley 1060 may be provided in the arm 1016 for ensuring that the belt 1052 remains properly tensioned.

Although a belt 1052 is shown as providing force-transmitting communication between a force feedback motor positioned in or near the arm 1016 and the connecting cylinder 1044, in some embodiments the force feedback motor may be placed in force-transmitting communication with the connecting cylinder 1044 through, for example, a gear assembly or a chain. In some embodiments, the force feedback motor may be mounted closer to, and even adjacent to, the connecting cylinder 1044.

FIG. 11 depicts a body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 is configured to be slidably connected to a cross-car beam that passes from one side of a vehicle 100 to the other forward of the passenger compartment 200. The body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 comprises a rail 1112 on each side of the arm 1116 (one of which cannot be seen in FIG. 11). The rails 1112 are configured to be slidably received by a track, guide rail, linear bearing, or other feature that is mounted to the cross-car beam, such that the cross-car beam both supports the weight of the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 and allows the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 to move forward (out of the way of the passenger compartment 200) and backward (closer to a driver seated in the passenger compartment 200) in the vehicle 100.

The body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 also comprises a telescoping steering column 1108, which may function in the same or in a substantially similar manner as the other telescoping steering columns described herein. The telescoping steering column 1108 is intended to be fixedly attached to a steering wheel (not shown in FIG. 11).

Other features of the body-mounted sliding steering columns described above may also be incorporated into the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100. For example, the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 may comprise a feedback motor within the arm 1116, which may be in force-transmitting communication with the telescoping steering column 1108 via one or more belts, gears, or other mechanical connections. A motor 1128 may be used to automatically cause the telescoping steering column 1108 to extend and retract, and/or may be used to cause the arm 1116 to slide forward or backward on the rails 1112. The body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 may be configured with an adjustable angle of tilt, so that a driver of a vehicle 100 in which the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 is installed may tilt a steering wheel attached to the telescoping steering column 1108 up or down, depending on the driver's height and position within the vehicle 100. Based on the foregoing disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand how to modify the body-mounted sliding steering column 1100 to include one or more of the other features described in the present disclosure.

The features of the various embodiments described herein are not intended to be mutually exclusive. Instead, features and aspects of one embodiment may be combined with features or aspects of another embodiment. Additionally, the description of a particular element with respect to one embodiment may apply to the use of that particular element in another embodiment, regardless of whether the description is repeated in connection with the use of the particular element in the other embodiment.

Examples provided herein are intended to be illustrative and non-limiting. Thus, any example or set of examples provided to illustrate one or more aspects of the present disclosure should not be considered to comprise the entire set of possible embodiments of the aspect in question. Examples may be identified by the use of such language as “for example,” “such as,” “by way of example,” “e.g.,” and other language commonly understood to indicate that what follows is an example.

The systems and methods of this disclosure have been described in relation to the steering mechanism(s) for a vehicle. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the preceding description omits a number of known structures and devices. This omission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the claimed disclosure. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It should, however, be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the specific detail set forth herein.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used. It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosure without providing others.

The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/or apparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, including various embodiments, subcombinations, and subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand how to make and use the systems and methods disclosed herein after understanding the present disclosure. The present disclosure, in various embodiments, configurations, and aspects, includes providing devices and processes in the absence of items not depicted and/or described herein or in various embodiments, configurations, or aspects hereof, including in the absence of such items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g., for improving performance, achieving ease, and/or reducing cost of implementation.

The foregoing discussion of the disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description for example, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in one or more embodiments, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the embodiments, configurations, or aspects of the disclosure may be combined in alternate embodiments, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of the disclosure.

Embodiments include a vehicle, comprising: a passenger compartment having a front and a back; a retractable telescopic steering column mounted near the front of the passenger compartment and configured to selectively extend rearwardly into the passenger compartment; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the retractable telescopic steering column; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively exert a rotational force on the retractable telescopic steering column.

Aspects of the above vehicle include: the retractable telescopic steering column comprises a second segment slidably mounted to a first segment, and a third segment slidably mounted to the second segment; rotation of one of the first, second, and third segments results in rotation of the other of the first, second, and third segments; the second segment comprises a spline and a slot, the slot configured to receive a spline of one of the first and third segments, and the spline configured to be received by a slot of one of the first and third segments; the first segment is fixedly connected to a force feedback assembly, the force feedback assembly comprising a force feedback motor; the force feedback motor is configured to transmit a force to the first segment via a gear; the third segment is fixedly connected to the steering wheel; the retractable telescopic steering column has a circular cross-section; the retractable telescopic steering column and the force feedback assembly are contained within a telescopic housing that is coaxial with the retractable telescopic steering column; and the telescopic housing is configured to be fully extended when the retractable telescopic steering column is fully extended.

Embodiments also include a retractable telescopic steering column comprising: a first telescoping section rotatably attached to a stationary housing member; a second telescoping section slidably engaged with the first telescoping section; a third telescoping section slidably engaged with the second telescoping section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to a proximal end of the third telescoping section; a telescoping housing member slidably engaged with the stationary housing member; and a force feedback motor in force-transmitting communication with the steering wheel.

Aspects of the above retractable telescopic steering column include: rotation of one of the steering wheel, the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section results in corresponding rotation of the others of the steering wheel, the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section; the second telescoping section and the third telescoping section are slidable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position; in the fully retracted position, a distal end of each of the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section overlap, and in the fully extended position, the distal end of the second telescoping section overlaps a proximal end of the first telescoping section, and the distal end of the third telescoping section overlaps the proximal end of the second telescoping section; and a distance between the distal end of the first telescoping section and the proximal end of the third telescoping section is at least two hundred and fifty millimeters longer in the fully extended position than in the fully retracted position.

Embodiments also include an extendable steering apparatus, comprising: a housing; a connecting cylinder rotatably mounted to the housing; an extendable column comprising a first column section fixedly connected to the connecting cylinder, a second column section slidably connected to the first column section, and a third column section slidably connected to the second column section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the third column section; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively rotate the connecting cylinder.

Aspects of the above extendable steering apparatus include: the force feedback motor is connected to the connecting cylinder via a belt; the first column section, the second column section, and the third column section comprise a non-circular cross section; the steering wheel is adjustable between a first position and a second position by extension of the extendable column, the first position separated from the second position by approximately three hundred millimeters; and an outer perimeter of the first column section is shorter than an inner perimeter of the second column section, and an outer perimeter of the second column section is shorter than an inner perimeter of the third column section.

Any one or more of the aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein optionally in combination with any one or more other aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

One or means adapted to perform any one or more of the above aspects/embodiments as substantially disclosed herein.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” “or,” and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “A, B, and/or C,” and “A, B, or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle, comprising: a passenger compartment having a front and a back; a retractable telescopic steering column mounted near the front of the passenger compartment and configured to selectively extend rearwardly into the passenger compartment; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the retractable telescopic steering column; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively exert a rotational force on the retractable telescopic steering column.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retractable telescopic steering column comprises a second segment slidably mounted to a first segment, and a third segment slidably mounted to the second segment.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein rotation of one of the first, second, and third segments results in rotation of the other of the first, second, and third segments.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the second segment comprises a spline and a slot, the slot configured to receive a spline of one of the first and third segments, and the spline configured to be received by a slot of one of the first and third segments.
 5. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the first segment is fixedly connected to a force feedback assembly, the force feedback assembly comprising a force feedback motor.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the force feedback motor is configured to transmit a force to the first segment via a gear.
 7. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the third segment is fixedly connected to the steering wheel.
 8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the retractable telescopic steering column has a circular cross-section.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the retractable telescopic steering column and the force feedback assembly are contained within a telescopic housing that is coaxial with the retractable telescopic steering column.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the telescopic housing is configured to be fully extended when the retractable telescopic steering column is fully extended.
 11. A retractable telescopic steering column comprising: a first telescoping section rotatably attached to a stationary housing member; a second telescoping section slidably engaged with the first telescoping section; a third telescoping section slidably engaged with the second telescoping section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to a proximal end of the third telescoping section; a telescoping housing member slidably engaged with the stationary housing member; and a force feedback motor in force-transmitting communication with the steering wheel.
 12. The retractable telescopic steering column of claim 11, wherein rotation of one of the steering wheel, the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section results in corresponding rotation of the others of the steering wheel, the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section.
 13. The retractable telescopic steering column of claim 11, wherein the second telescoping section and the third telescoping section are slidable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position.
 14. The retractable telescopic steering column of claim 13, wherein in the fully retracted position, a distal end of each of the first telescoping section, the second telescoping section, and the third telescoping section overlap, and in the fully extended position, the distal end of the second telescoping section overlaps a proximal end of the first telescoping section, and the distal end of the third telescoping section overlaps the proximal end of the second telescoping section.
 15. The retractable telescopic steering column of claim 14, wherein a distance between the distal end of the first telescoping section and the proximal end of the third telescoping section is at least two hundred and fifty millimeters longer in the fully extended position than in the fully retracted position.
 16. An extendable steering apparatus, comprising: a housing; a connecting cylinder rotatably mounted to the housing; an extendable column comprising: a first column section fixedly connected to the connecting cylinder; a second column section slidably connected to the first column section; a third column section slidably connected to the second column section; a steering wheel fixedly connected to the third column section; and a force feedback motor configured to selectively rotate the connecting cylinder.
 17. The extendable steering apparatus of claim 16, wherein the force feedback motor is connected to the connecting cylinder via a belt.
 18. The extendable steering apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first column section, the second column section, and the third column section comprise a non-circular cross section.
 19. The extendable steering apparatus of claim 16, wherein the steering wheel is adjustable between a first position and a second position by extension of the extendable column, the first position separated from the second position by approximately three hundred millimeters.
 20. The extendable steering apparatus of claim 16, wherein an outer perimeter of the first column section is shorter than an inner perimeter of the second column section, and an outer perimeter of the second column section is shorter than an inner perimeter of the third column section. 